To Russia — With Love | Toronto’s pre-Sochi rally to support LGBTI rights in Russia & beyond

On Thursday, February 6th — on the eve of the Winter Olympics opening in Sochi — more than 100 activists converged outside the Russian Consulate in downtown Toronto to hold a peaceful rally. Protesters condemned the hate perpetrated against LGBT people in Russia, standing in solidarity with our queer brothers and sisters who are being persecuted in Russia and in other places. Speakers at the rally, hailing from Russia, Nigeria, Uganda, India, Jamaica, and Brazil, addressed the crowd to raise awareness for human rights around the world.

The rally was co-sponsored and organized by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, #TOwithRussia, AIDS ACTION NOW!, Pride Toronto, Egale, and the WorldPride2014 Human Rights Conference, with the support of the Pride and Remembrance Foundation through the Pride and Remembrance Run.